Emergency routing within a controllable transit system

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention provide a solution for an orderly and well-considered evacuation of a Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system in the event of declared emergency. It describes the mapping of evacuation points and subsequent routing of PRT vehicles according to both the nature/location of the emergency and outflow capacity at each evacuation point. A PRT is defined as an automatic method by which personal transport vehicles (a/k/a “pods”) can be used to efficiently and rapidly move people between various points within a closed area (for example, a city center). In an ideal world, these pods can be thought of as intelligent automated vehicles (similar to driverless taxis) that can adapt to changing demand to optimize the movement of people. For example, an emergency may be declared within a PRT system which does not cause widespread power loss, but which does require an orderly evacuation (e.g., smoke or flooding). In such events, PRT vehicles will be routed through the means described here to an evacuation point capable of handling such outflow in an orderly manner.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to transit systems (e.g.,Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) systems). Specifically, the presentinvention relates to routing of vehicles within a controllable transitsystem in response to an emergency.

BACKGROUND

As energy conservation becomes an increasingly important goal, one areaof needed improvement is traffic and/or transportation management.Today, a traveler's options are typically limited to either anindividual mode of transportation (e.g., an automobile), or mass transit(e.g., airplanes, subways, buses, trains, etc.). Neither option isentirely efficient. As a result, the more recent concept of “PersonalRapid Transit” (PRT) has an emergency. Still in its infancy, PRT is apublic transportation concept that offers on-demand, non-stoptransportation using small, automated vehicles on a network ofspecially-built guide-ways. Unfortunately, several issues stand in theway of efficient management of PRT systems.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide a solution for an orderlyand well-considered evacuation of a Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) systemin the event of declared emergency. It describes the mapping ofevacuation points and subsequent routing of PRT vehicles according toboth the nature/location of the emergency and outflow capacity at eachevacuation point. A PRT is defined as an automatic method by whichpersonal transport vehicles (a/k/a “pods”) can be used to efficientlyand rapidly move people between various points within a closed area (forexample, a city center). In an ideal world, these pods can be thought ofas intelligent automated vehicles (similar to driverless taxis) that canadapt to changing demand to optimize the movement of people. Forexample, an emergency may be declared within a PRT system which does notcause widespread power loss, but which does require an orderlyevacuation (e.g., smoke or flooding). In such events, PRT vehicles willbe routed through the means described herein to an evacuation pointcapable of handling such outflow in an orderly manner.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a method for emergencyrouting within a controllable transit system, comprising: identifying anemergency affecting the controllable transit system; evaluating a set ofevacuation points within the controllable transit system based on theemergency; classifying a set of vehicles of the controllable transitsystem as impacted or not impacted by the emergency; and determining aset of routes for the vehicles to reach the set of evacuation points,the set of routes being determined based on the evaluating and theclassifying.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a system for emergencyrouting within a controllable transit system, comprising: a memorymedium comprising instructions; a bus coupled to the memory medium; aprocessor coupled to the bus that when executing the instructions causesthe system to: identify an emergency affecting the controllable transitsystem; evaluate a set of evacuation points within the controllabletransit system based on the emergency; classify a set of vehicles of thecontrollable transit system as impacted or not impacted by theemergency; and determine a set of routes for the vehicles to reach theset of evacuation points, the set of routes being determined based onthe evaluation and the classification.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a computer readablemedium containing a program product for emergency routing within acontrollable transit system, the computer readable medium comprisingprogram code for causing a computer to: identify an emergency affectingthe controllable transit program product; evaluate a set of evacuationpoints within the controllable transit program product based on theemergency; classify a set of vehicles of the controllable transit systemas impacted or not impacted by the emergency; and determine a set ofroutes for the vehicles to reach the set of evacuation points, the setof routes being determined based on the evaluation and theclassification.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a method for deployinga system for emergency routing within a controllable transit system,comprising: providing a computer infrastructure being operable to:identify an emergency affecting the controllable transit programproduct; evaluate a set of evacuation points within the controllabletransit program product based on the emergency; classify a set ofvehicles of the controllable transit system as impacted or not impactedby the emergency; and determine a set of routes for the vehicles toreach the set of evacuation points, the set of routes being determinedbased on the evaluation and the classification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of this invention will be more readilyunderstood from the following detailed description of the variousaspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative vehicle for a controllable transit systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an illustrative evacuation point map according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows another illustrative evacuation point map according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a more specific computerized implementation according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a method flow diagram according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are merelyschematic representations, not intended to portray specific parametersof the invention. The drawings are intended to depict only typicalembodiments of the invention, and therefore should not be considered aslimiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings, like numberingrepresents like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For convenience, the Detailed Description of the invention has thefollowing sections:

I. General Description

II. Computerized Implementation

I. General Description

Referring to FIG. 1, embodiments of the present invention provide asolution for an orderly and well-considered evacuation of a PersonalRapid Transit (PRT) system 10 in the event of declared emergency. Itdescribes the mapping of evacuation points, and subsequent routing ofPRT vehicles 12 (e.g., along a rail or track system 14, or the like)according to both the nature/location of the emergency and outflowcapacity at each evacuation point. A PRT is defined as an automaticmethod by which personal transport vehicles (a/k/a “pods”) can be usedto efficiently and rapidly move people between various points within aclosed area (for example, a city center). In an ideal world, these podscan be thought of as intelligent automated vehicles (similar todriverless taxis) that can adapt to changing demand to optimize themovement of people. For example, an emergency may be declared within aPRT system which does not cause widespread power loss, but which doesrequire an orderly evacuation (e.g., smoke or flooding). In such events,PRT vehicles will be routed through the means described herein to anevacuation point capable of handling such outflow in an orderly manner.

Specifically, under embodiments of the present invention, evacuationpoints may be predefined within a PRT system. Upon declared emergency,those potential evacuation points are assessed to be either valid orinvalid evacuation points. PRT vehicles are then routed to validevacuation points according to expected outflow (e.g., quickest time outof the PRT system). This may or may not indicate routing to the closestevacuation point; rather, a close—but not closest—point may be indicatedbased upon the number of vehicles being routed to the closest point.Segregation of “clean” and ‘impacted vehicles upon an evacuation, asegregation of “clean” and “impacted” vehicles may optionally be made.For example, in a case where passengers are impacted (e.g., chemicalspill), the vehicle needs to move out of the impacted zone, but may notjust want to go to the most expedient evacuation point if thatevacuation point is also to be used by emergency services vehicles.

Each evacuation point may have different services and capabilities thatimpact whether it should be used as an evacuation point. Vehiclesclasses as “clean” (for example emergency vehicles, law enforcement,etc) may require that an evacuation point has extra capabilities—such asbeing at street level, close to a water supply, in an open space,etcetera. Based on this determination, “impacted” vehicles may be routedto another evacuation point. Based on whether a vehicle is classed as“clean” or “impacted” and the nature of the evacuation, evacuationpoints may be separated in that “clean” vehicles go to one evacuationset of points, where “impacted” vehicles go to another. This separationmay optimize or prioritize the “impacted” vehicles to the nearestevacuation points first or to evacuation points that have the necessaryservices and capabilities. For example, if a chemical exposure hasoccurred and 20% of vehicles are affected, these 20 vehicles may bequarantined to the evacuation points that allow good access to emergencyservices and services to perform a chemical wash.

Empty vehicles that are also classed as “clean”—meaning that they do notneed to be prioritized to find an evacuation point, may be used as‘sensors’ or other method to aid in the evacuation. For example, ifvehicles include cameras or other sensors, they may be instructed tomove to the perimeter of the evacuation zone (without impacted exitingtraffic flow) where they can be used to monitor traffic and other localdata. Empty or other “clean” vehicles may also play a part in theevacuation by helping people or disabled other vehicles from evacuating.Assuming that automated controls are in place, empty vehicles may beused to tow, transfer passengers, or transport medical or other supplyequipment to and from the evacuation zone.

One embodiment of the present invention also provides for a maximumcapacity algorithm. Specifically, some vehicles may be able to transportmultiple passengers, but perhaps usually do not. Consider regular taxisthat can usually hold up to four passengers but often only contain one.In an emergency, each vehicle exiting the evacuation area which containsless than the maximum number of passengers may optionally be rerouted sothat extra passengers are picked up, if applicable and necessary. Inanother embodiment, this algorithm could be used to reduce the number ofvehicles exiting the evacuation zone with affected passengers.

Much the same as an HOV lane reduces the amount of traffic, two PRTvehicles co-located in the same area with 50% capacity of passengers mayelect to stop next to each other for enough time that only one vehicleneeds to evacuate, whereas the other vehicle can be used as a “clean”vehicle. This idea may also be expanded to include a hierarchy ofvehicles based on their capacity to transport passengers. For example,if the PRT includes two-person, four-person and eight-person vehicles,it may be necessary to set up “automated shuttles” to evacuation pointsusing exclusively the eight-person vehicles. This would leave the two-and four-passenger vehicles to concentrate on picking up individualpassengers from multiple locations around the evacuation area.

Under embodiments of the present invention, the time taken to quicklypick up a small number of people is cross-referenced to the time takento take a full vehicle (of perhaps eight people) from an area mid-pointbetween the core of the emergency to the evacuation points. Based onthis calculation, the midpoint transfer may be changed to minimize thetime that any vehicle is waiting for a load. This algorithm alsosupports the ability to lock down evacuations in the event that theevacuation is based upon a malicious emergency case. In this example,vehicles may be classed as “clean” or “impacted” based on whether thereare any suspect passengers within the vehicle. In this case, the “clean”vehicles may be moved to evacuation areas whereas the “impacted”vehicles are either made stationary or moved to a central point OR movedto a specific evacuation point that has the services necessary toprocess suspects/witnesses.

These concepts are further described within the context of the followingexample:

(1) Under steady-state operating conditions, a set of potentialevacuation points are derived and evaluated. These represent locationswhere users may exit the PRT system in the event of emergency, such asfire, water, or other extraordinary incident (e.g., detection ofhazardous gasses, etc.). Ideally, outflow capacities are associated witheach of these points (i.e., how many vehicles may be off-loaded per unittime at each point). Such points are indicated by letter designations inFIG. 2. As can be seen, embodiments of the present invention allow a map20 to be generated with evacuation points identified thereon. Suchpoints can be identified using a technique such as alpha or numericalreferences such as those shown in FIG. 2.

(2) A disaster is declared, and certain evacuation points are nowunavailable for any number of reasons (e.g., fire or flooding outsidethe exit point). In the example shown in FIG. 3, points D, E, F, and Jof map 20 have become unavailable.

(3) Optionally, other evacuation points may be declared “degraded”. Bydegraded, certain rules may be put into place such as:

-   -   (3a) no PRTs to be directed toward these points, EXCEPT those in        the declared emergency area (designated by red);    -   (3b) off-loading capacity of points has been reduced, and        routing algorithms should adjust accordingly;    -   (3c) points only to be used as overflow, should other points be        unable to handle necessary evacuation within prescribed time        limits;    -   (3d) points expected to be taken “off-line” within some time        period, or any other such recognition of dynamic circumstances.

(4) The relative outflow capacity of points is compared against systemevacuation needs. Many PRT units may have been navigating through thesystem toward “distant” destinations, but which now must be relocated tothe most advantageous evacuation point. This step makes a determinationof where cars are located at a given instant of time, and determines theappropriate evacuation point for each. Note that the closest evacuationpoint may not be the most expedient. For instance, if points P and Shave the same outflow processing capacity, and eight cars are closest toP but only one car is closest to S, the most advantageous out-processingis achieved by spreading the evacuations between the points.

(5) Rerouting is accomplished for each PRT unit in the system. The carsare rerouted from their original destinations, and now sent to thedetermined evacuation point.

(6) (Optional) Dynamic rerouting for evacuation may optionally beexecuted. In some cases, rerouting after an initial evacuation plan maybe appropriate. For example, several cars may be routed for point P, andseveral for point S. However, delays at point P, or the possibility ofpoint P soon becoming degraded, may result in dynamic rerouting of carsqueued for P to subsequently be sent to S.

II. Computerized Implementation

Referring now to FIG. 4, a computerized implementation 100 of thepresent invention is shown. As depicted, implementation 100 includes acomputer system 104 deployed within a computer infrastructure 102. Thisis intended to demonstrate, among other things, that the presentinvention could be implemented within a network environment (e.g., theInternet, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), avirtual private network (VPN), etc.), or on a stand-alone computersystem. In the case of the former, communication throughout the networkcan occur via any combination of various types of communication links.For example, the communication links can comprise addressableconnections that may utilize any combination of wired and/or wirelesstransmission methods. Where communications occur via the Internet,connectivity could be provided by conventional TCP/IP sockets-basedprotocol, and an Internet service provider could be used to establishconnectivity to the Internet. Still yet, computer infrastructure 102 isintended to demonstrate that some or all of the components ofimplementation 100 could be deployed, managed, serviced, etc., by aservice provider who offers to implement, deploy, and/or perform thefunctions of the present invention for others.

As shown, computer system 104 includes a processing unit 106, a memory108, a bus 110, and a device interfaces 112. Further, computer system104 is shown having external devices 114 and storage system 116 thatcommunicate with bus 110 via device interfaces 112. In general,processing unit 106 executes computer program code, such as classprioritization software/program 118, which is stored in memory 108and/or storage system 116. While executing computer program code,processing unit 106 can read and/or write data to/from memory 108,storage system 116, and/or device interfaces 112. Bus 110 provides acommunication link between each of the components in computer system104. Although not shown, computer system 104 could also include I/Ointerfaces that communicate with: one or more external devices such as akeyboard, a pointing device, a display, etc.; one or more devices thatenable a user to interact with computer system 104; and/or any devices(e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enable computer system 104 tocommunicate with one or more other computing devices.

Computer infrastructure 102 is only illustrative of various types ofcomputer infrastructures for implementing the invention. For example, inone embodiment, computer infrastructure 102 comprises two or morecomputing devices (e.g., a server cluster) that communicate over anetwork to perform the various processes of the invention. Moreover,computer system 104 is only representative of various possible computersystems that can include numerous combinations of hardware. To thisextent, in other embodiments, computer system 104 can comprise anyspecific purpose-computing article of manufacture comprising hardwareand/or computer program code for performing specific functions, anycomputing article of manufacture that comprises a combination ofspecific purpose and general purpose hardware/software, or the like. Ineach case, the program code and hardware can be created using standardprogramming and engineering techniques, respectively. Moreover,processing unit 106 may comprise a single processing unit, or bedistributed across one or more processing units in one or more locations(e.g., on a client and server). Similarly, memory 108 and/or storagesystem 116 can comprise any combination of various types of data storageand/or transmission media that reside at one or more physical locations.Further, device interfaces 112 can comprise any module for exchanginginformation with one or more external devices. Still further, it isunderstood that one or more additional components (e.g., systemsoftware, math co-processing unit, etc.) not shown in FIG. 4 can beincluded in computer system 104.

Storage system 116 can be any type of system capable of providingstorage for information under the present invention such as itemappearances. To this extent, storage system 116 could include one ormore storage devices, such as a magnetic disk drive or an optical diskdrive. In another embodiment, storage system 116 includes datadistributed across, for example, a local area network (LAN), wide areanetwork (WAN) or a storage area network (SAN) (not shown). In addition,although not shown, additional components, such as cache memory,communication systems, etc.

Shown in memory 108 of computer system 104 is emergency routing program118 having a set (at least one) of modules 120. The modules 120generally provide the functions of the present invention as describedherein. These functions will be highlighted in conjunction with FIGS. 4and 5 collectively. Specifically (among other things), set of modules120 is configured to: identify an emergency affecting the controllabletransit system (step S1); evaluate a set of evacuation points within thecontrollable transit system based on the emergency (step S2); generate amap that identifies the set of evacuation points (step S3); classify aset of vehicles of the controllable transit system as impacted or notimpacted by the emergency (step S4); and determine a set of routes forthe vehicles to reach the set of evacuation points, the set of routesbeing determined based on the evaluating and the classifying (step S5).

While shown and described herein as an emergency routing solution, it isunderstood that the invention further provides various alternativeembodiments. For example, in one embodiment, the invention provides acomputer readable/useable medium that includes computer program code toenable a computer infrastructure to provide an emergency routingsolution. To this extent, the computer readable/useable medium includesprogram code that implements each of the various processes of theinvention. It is understood that the terms computer readable medium orcomputer useable medium comprise one or more of any type of physicalembodiment of the program code. In particular, the computerreadable/useable medium can comprise program code embodied on one ormore portable storage articles of manufacture (e.g., a compact disc, amagnetic disk, a tape, etc.), on one or more data storage portions of acomputing device, such as memory 108 (FIG. 4) and/or storage system 116(FIG. 4) (e.g., a fixed disk, a read-only memory, a random accessmemory, a cache memory, etc.), and/or as a data signal (e.g., apropagated signal) traveling over a network (e.g., during awired/wireless electronic distribution of the program code).

The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium ora computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage mediummay be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic,optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus,or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specificexamples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage mediumwould include the following: an electrical connection having one or morewires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory(RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compactdisc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magneticstorage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In thecontext of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be anytangible medium that can contain or store a program for use by or inconnection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination ofthe foregoing.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a method that performs theprocess of the invention on a subscription, advertising, and/or feebasis. That is, a service provider, such as a Solution Integrator, couldoffer to provide an emergency routing solution. In this case, theservice provider can create, maintain, support, etc., a computerinfrastructure, such as computer infrastructure 102 (FIG. 4) thatperforms the process of the invention for one or more customers. Inreturn, the service provider can receive payment from the customer(s)under a subscription and/or fee agreement and/or the service providercan receive payment from the sale of advertising.

In still another embodiment, the invention provides acomputer-implemented method for emergency routing within a controllabletransit system such as a PRT. In this case, a computer infrastructure,such as computer infrastructure 102 (FIG. 4), can be provided and one ormore systems for performing the process of the invention can be obtained(e.g., created, purchased, used, modified, etc.) and deployed to thecomputer infrastructure. To this extent, the deployment of a system cancomprise one or more of: installing program code on a computing device,such as computer system 104 (FIG. 4), from a computer readable medium;adding one or more computing devices to the computer infrastructure; andincorporating and/or modifying one or more existing systems of thecomputer infrastructure to enable the computer infrastructure to performthe process of the invention.

As used herein, it is understood that the terms “program code” and“computer program code” are synonymous and mean any expression, in anylanguage, code, or notation, of a set of instructions intended to causea computing device having an information processing capability toperform a particular function either directly or after either or both ofthe following: (a) conversion to another language, code, or notation;and/or (b) reproduction in a different material form. To this extent,program code can be embodied as one or more of: an application/softwareprogram, component software/a library of functions, an operating system,a basic device system/driver for a particular computing and/or device,and the like.

A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing programcode can be provided hereunder and can include at least one processorcommunicatively coupled, directly or indirectly, to memory elementthrough a system bus. The memory elements can include, but are notlimited to, local memory employed during actual execution of the programcode, bulk storage, and cache memories that provide temporary storage ofat least some program code in order to reduce the number of times codemust be retrieved from bulk storage during execution. Input/output orother external devices (including, but not limited to, keyboards,displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the system eitherdirectly or through intervening device controllers.

Network adapters also may be coupled to the system to enable the dataprocessing system to become coupled to other data processing systems,remote printers, storage devices, and/or the like, through anycombination of intervening private or public networks. Illustrativenetwork adapters include, but are not limited to, modems, cable modems,and Ethernet cards.

The foregoing description of various aspects of the invention has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations arepossible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to aperson skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scopeof the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

1. A method for emergency routing within a controllable transit system,comprising: identifying an emergency affecting the controllable transitsystem; evaluating a set of evacuation points within the controllabletransit system based on the emergency; classifying a set of vehicles ofthe controllable transit system as impacted or not impacted by theemergency; and determining a set of routes for the vehicles to reach theset of evacuation points, the set of routes being determined based onthe evaluating and the classifying.
 2. The method of claim 1, the set ofroutes being further determined based on a quantity of a set ofpassengers in the set of vehicles.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising generating a map of the controllable transit system, the mapidentifying the set of evacuation points.
 4. The method of claim 1, theevaluating comprising determining whether any of the set of evacuationpoints is affected by the emergency.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising associating each one of the set of vehicles with a desiredevacuation point selected from the set of evacuation points, the desiredevacuation point being selected based on a physical proximity to acorresponding vehicle.
 6. The method of claim 1, the set of evacuationpoints being outside of an area in which the emergency exists.
 7. Asystem for emergency routing within a controllable transit system,comprising: a memory medium comprising instructions; a bus coupled tothe memory medium; a processor coupled to the bus that when executingthe instructions causes the system to: identify an emergency affectingthe controllable transit system; evaluate a set of evacuation pointswithin the controllable transit system based on the emergency; classifya set of vehicles of the controllable transit system as impacted or notimpacted by the emergency; and determine a set of routes for thevehicles to reach the set of evacuation points, the set of routes beingdetermined based on the evaluation and the classification.
 8. The systemof claim 7, the set of routes being further determined based on aquantity of a set of passengers in the set of vehicles.
 9. The system ofclaim 7, the system further being caused to generate a map of thecontrollable transit system, the map identifying the set of evacuationpoints.
 10. The system of claim 7, the system further being caused todetermine whether any of the set of evacuation points is affected by theemergency.
 11. The system of claim 7, the system further being caused toassociate each one of the set of vehicles with a desired evacuationpoint selected from the set of evacuation points, the desired evacuationpoint being selected based on a physical proximity to a correspondingvehicle.
 12. The system of claim 7, the set of evacuation points beingoutside of an area in which the emergency exists.
 13. A computerreadable medium containing a program product for emergency routingwithin a controllable transit system, the computer readable mediumcomprising program code for causing a computer to: identify an emergencyaffecting the controllable transit program product; evaluate a set ofevacuation points within the controllable transit program product basedon the emergency; classify a set of vehicles of the controllable transitsystem as impacted or not impacted by the emergency; and determine a setof routes for the vehicles to reach the set of evacuation points, theset of routes being determined based on the evaluation and theclassification.
 14. The computer readable medium containing the programproduct of claim 13, the set of routes being further determined based ona quantity of a set of passengers in the set of vehicles.
 15. Thecomputer readable medium containing the program product of claim 13, thecomputer readable medium further comprising program code for causing thecomputer to generate a map of the controllable transit computer readablemedium containing the program product, the map identifying the set ofevacuation points.
 16. The computer readable medium containing theprogram product of claim 13, the computer readable medium furthercomprising program code for causing the computer to determine whetherany of the set of evacuation points is affected by the emergency. 17.The computer readable medium containing the program product of claim 13,the computer readable medium further comprising program code for causingthe computer to associate each one of the set of vehicles with a desiredevacuation point selected from the set of evacuation points, the desiredevacuation point being selected based on a physical proximity to acorresponding vehicle.
 18. The computer readable medium containing theprogram product of claim 13, the set of evacuation points being outsideof an area in which the emergency exists.
 19. A method for deploying asystem for emergency routing within a controllable transit system,comprising: providing a computer infrastructure being operable to:identify an emergency affecting the controllable transit programproduct; evaluate a set of evacuation points within the controllabletransit program product based on the emergency; classify a set ofvehicles of the controllable transit system as impacted or not impactedby the emergency; and determine a set of routes for the vehicles toreach the set of evacuation points, the set of routes being determinedbased on the evaluation and the classification.
 20. The method of claim19, the computer infrastructure being further operable to generate a mapof the controllable transit computer readable medium containing theprogram product, the map identifying the set of evacuation points.